ArtWorks is saddened to learn of the August fire in Avondale that destroyed the apartment building at 3371 Reading Road, which hosted Avondale Heroes mural by James Pate. The blessing is no one was injured in the disaster as it was vacant due to renovations and firefighters were able to extinguish the flames safely.
Avondale Heroes, created in 2018 was designed by Pate, an Ohio artist and former Avondale resident. His design celebrated the neighborhood’s everyday neighborhood heroes such as mothers, barbers, students, police officers, clergy members and more. The rich, vibrant color palette complemented the mural’s intention to transform this corner into a hub for community collaboration and activation.
For several years, ArtWorks has been working in partnerships with the Avondale community. This work, as with all ArtWorks’ public art in the neighborhood, was driven by the Avondale Quality of Life Vision Statement, which reads in part: “Avondale is a proud, resilient community with a rich culture and history of African American change-makers and community –builders. The community is safe and healthy, and everyone shares in its success. Families and individuals – young and old – are recognized as the backbone of the community, finding strength together, they are vested in Avondale’s bright future. Avondale residents work together with community and institutional partners to build a safe, healthy, equitable neighborhood where all can prosper.”
Other ArtWorks public art in Avondale include Switch on Avondale light installation, Avondale Pride: We Rise from the Ashes mural, A Song of Freedom mural, goVibrant sidewalk art, and the in progress police mediation mural.
We want to thank the community of leaders and artists who worked to bring this beautiful work of art to life: James Pate, Brandon Hawkins, Shalaisjah Cason, Aiden Cobb, Noor Essakalli, Fiona Harrell-DuChaine, Theresa Johnson, Mattie Masrorocco, Linnea Gartin, The City of Cincinnati, Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio, Cincinnati Police Department, Youth to Work, LISC, PNC Bank, Cincinnati Recreation Commission, Jacob G. Schmidlapp Trusts, 2018 Adopt-an-Apprentice Campaign Contributors, American Scaffolding, Inc., ArtWorks Board of Trustees, Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio, Community Police Partnering Center, Uptown Consortium, BNF Painting, LLC., Neyer Properties & Kulkarni Properties, Lamar Advertising, Cincinnati Area Board of Realtors, Keep Cincinnati Beautiful, Avondale Community Council, Avondale Development Corporation, and Gabriel’s Place
This work of art will be missed, not only for its vibrant colors but for its message of community pride.
Read more about Avondale Heroes here.
About ArtWorks
ArtWorks is an award-winning Greater Cincinnati nonprofit that transforms people and places through investments in creativity. The organization collaborates with community organizations and residents, businesses, governments, foundations and nonprofits to build creative works of art that bolster the region’s global reputation as an arts destination. ArtWorks employs professional artists who inspire and mentor diverse teams of youth, ages 14-21, helping them build 21st century career-readiness skills. These teams have completed more than 14,000 public and private art projects in its 25 years, including more than 200 permanent outdoor murals. Learn more at ArtWorksCincinnati.org.
